Depositing of Goods and Materials on Local Government Controlled Areas or Roads (Local Law 11)
Council understands that residents sometimes need to temporarily store goods and materials on public land or roads.
We regulate these activities to ensure the areas or roads remain available for their intended use, and that the activities do not create a hazard for residents or other members of the public,
Approval required
You generally need prior approval from Council to deposit goods or materials on Council controlled area, road or footpath. This includes:
- storing building materials for an extended period of time (more than 5 days) whilst construction works are ongoing;
- placing bee hives in a Council reserve adjoining a property boundary; or
- placing shipping container or a skip bin on a nature strip for the duration of a construction project (more than 5 days).
Approval not required
If you intend to deposit goods or materials and you comply with the below requirements, you will not require a permit from Council:
- Depositing a shipping container, building materials or raw materials on a nature strip or footpath area, provided that:
- The goods or materials are placed in a location that is adjacent to the premises for which the goods or materials are required;
- The goods and materials are only placed in the location for a period of not more than 5 days;
- There is no obstruction created by the placement of goods or materials to vehicular or pedestrian traffic; and
- The goods or materials are not placed on the formed road or placed in a position that obstructs access to any Council infrastructure or services.
If you do not meet the above listed exceptions, you will need to apply for a Depositing of Goods and Materials on Council controlled areas or roads Permit.
Please complete the Depositing of goods and materials permit application form ( PDF, 0.35 MB ) and supply the required supporting documents.
For Council to assess your application, you must complete all relevant sections and submit the required supporting documents. Processing takes a minimum of 14 days and can take up to 30 days. Applications with a start date less than 14 days from submission will not be accepted.
You can submit your completed application:
- In person at Council’s Spence Street Customer Service centre at 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns.
- Mail to Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359, CAIRNS QLD 4870
- Email to regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au
Once we receive your complete application form , we will send you information about how to pay the fee. The application fee is payable as per the current Fees and Charges Schedule ( PDF, 0.02 MB ) and is due at the time of application.
We will not process an application until the correct fee is paid.
A security bond will be required in addition to the application fee. This is to ensure that any damage caused to Council controlled areas or roads is rectified upon removal of the goods or materials.
When applying for either of the above permit types, you must compile and include the applicable supporting documentation with your application:
Public liability insurance
Council requires the applicant to provide a certificate of currency for public liability insurance, which must:
- Be for an amount of at least $20 million;
- Be for the period that covers the duration of the permit;
- Be in the name of the applicant; and
- Note Cairns Regional Council as an interested party.
Site plan
You must submit a site plan to Council with all permit applications. The site plan must be prepared as an aerial view sketch of the proposed permit area (with measurements) and must include the following details:
- The overall boundary of the area where the works are to occur which shows the overall dimensions (width and length) of the proposed permit area;
- The location and dimensions of any proposed works to be undertaken within the area as well as any items, equipment, machinery/vehicles proposed to be used to carry out the works within the area; and
- The location of any permanent infrastructure including adjoining buildings, trees, fire hydrants, electrical infrastructure, telephone booths, mailboxes, bus shelters, rubbish bins, pillars and posts (awnings or building supports) etc.
Traffic guidance scheme
If your proposed work will block or impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic movements, you will need to develop and submit a site-specific Traffic Guidance Scheme to Council.
All Traffic Guidance Schemes must be prepared by a Queensland person accredited to make and approve such plans, and must adhere to the standards outlined in the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Road’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
All temporary traffic signs or devices must be placed in accordance with the approved Traffic Guidance Scheme.
If you are unsure if you need a Traffic Guidance Scheme, please contact Council to discuss.
Parking Bay permit
If you require exclusive/continuous use of regulated parking bay/s (including loading zone, bus zone etc) you must also submit a Parking Bay Permit application ( PDF, 0.32 MB ).
Additional fees will be applicable for the duration of the Parking Bay Permit, calculated depending on the type of parking bay and the number required. Please see the table of current fees on page 4 of the application form.
Last Updated: 15 December 2025
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